Some worrying words from Nottingham's tram operator
Nottingham's tram network operator has called for the "huge inequality" in public transport funding to end as it struggles to compete against a £2 cap on bus fares. The Government's scheme, which aims to protect vital bus routes and support the sector's long-term recovery from coronavirus, has been described as symbolic of the "disparity" between the investment that goes into buses and the money received by tram operators.
But speaking after the visit about the bus cap, Mr Conroy said: "What we should be doing is promoting the whole public transport spectrum in Nottingham and getting more people to leave their cars at home. At the moment, with the continued subsidies that the buses are getting, the playing field isn't really level.
Councillor Angela Kandola, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for transport, echoed calls for greater tram support by saying of the recent ministerial visit: "I took the opportunity to raise our concerns that tram systems which are providing vital links in cities like Nottingham have not been given the same Government support as buses. We will continue to lobby Government, along with other UK cities with trams, to secure the funding support tram systems deserve.